About the Author

Judy Gruen

Judy Gruen is a writer, book editor and writing coach in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Daily News, as well as many Jewish media outlets. Her books include “The Skeptic and the Rabbi: Falling in Love with Faith.”

Mrs. Hollander’s Opus: An MS Sufferer’s Legacy of Optimism and Faith

Mrs. Hollander’s Opus: An MS Sufferer’s Legacy of Optimism and Faith

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Despite her degenerative and debilitating illness, Kaila Hollander’ remarkable joy inspired an entire community.

Rethinking “Achievement” in the Pandemic Era

Rethinking “Achievement” in the Pandemic Era

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Quarantine has reminded us that our lives are measured not so much by what we sell or build, but by what we give of ourselves to family, friends, and community.

The Life and Times of Glikl bas Leyb: a 17th-Century Woman for the Ages

The Life and Times of Glikl bas Leyb: a 17th-Century Woman for the Ages

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Nearly 300 years after her death, Glikl has become an unlikely literary celebrity.

My White Privilege Has Nothing to Do with It

My White Privilege Has Nothing to Do with It

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Identity politics and the victimization mindset has poisoned too many interactions between citizens.

(Anti-)Orthodox

(Anti-)Orthodox

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The media always seems to miss the big story about Orthodox Jews.

Seven Ways to Strengthen Your Friendships

Seven Ways to Strengthen Your Friendships

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Good friends are essential for your emotional health.

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

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The new film about Fred Rogers and a cynical journalist is a movie we need right now.

Lampooning Hitler: Jojo Rabbit Anti-Hate Satire

Lampooning Hitler: Jojo Rabbit Anti-Hate Satire

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Award-winning director Taika Waititi skewers the banality of evil in his latest film.

Even in Auschwitz: Choosing the Possible

Even in Auschwitz: Choosing the Possible

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Dr. Edith Eva Eger, a Holocaust survivor and trauma expert, channels her experience to help others learn to move past suffering.

Blinded by the Light: What Bruce Springsteen’s Music Meant to Me

Blinded by the Light: What Bruce Springsteen’s Music Meant to Me

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A new movie highlights how the rock legend inspired a teenager to pursue his dreams, reminding me of everything I love about Springsteen’s music.

The Day I Got Scammed

The Day I Got Scammed

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Yep, I fell for a tech support scam. And so could you.

The “Billy Graham” Rule and the Mississippi Governor’s Race

The “Billy Graham” Rule and the Mississippi Governor’s Race

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Is it sexist or sane policy to insist a third-party come along when a female reporter wants to interview a male candidate on the campaign trail?

Making the Holocaust Real

Making the Holocaust Real

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Archiving the Jewish American past, Gregg Philipson collects to remember and to fight bigotry and anti-Semitism.

Toy Story 4: Love, Loyalty and the Meaning of Life

Toy Story 4: Love, Loyalty and the Meaning of Life

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The hit film delves into some meaty philosophical issues.

Kyle Kashuv and the Limits of Forgiveness

Kyle Kashuv and the Limits of Forgiveness

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Harvard rescinds the acceptance of young man who survived the Parkland shootings for racist statements he made as a teen and has since regretted.

Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate

Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate

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Moe Berg became a major league ball player and a major league spy.

The Shtisel Phenomenon

The Shtisel Phenomenon

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Fans can’t get enough of this Hareidi family.

Beautiful Boy: The Long Road Back from Teenage Drug Addiction

Beautiful Boy: The Long Road Back from Teenage Drug Addiction

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A new book by former addict and his father offers safer pathways to deal with life’s pain.

The Bezos' $137 Billion Divorce

The Bezos' $137 Billion Divorce

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Thoughts on the break-up of one of the world’s wealthiest couples.

Four Vital Lessons from Tara Westover’s Educated

Four Vital Lessons from Tara Westover’s Educated

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Insights from the popular memoir on the challenges in discovering who we are meant to be.

Hasidic Women Breaking Barriers

Hasidic Women Breaking Barriers

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A new documentary reveals Judge Ruchi Freier’s trailblazing work to establish the first all-women’s emergency medical response team Brooklyn.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Mr. Rogers, 50 Years Later

Moral of the Story

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Mr. Rogers, 50 Years Later

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The unlikely media star taught the importance of civility, compassion, and the hard work of being a good human being.

These Biblical Women Are the Ultimate Mother and Daughter-in-Law

These Biblical Women Are the Ultimate Mother and Daughter-in-Law

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It’s not enough for Jews to consider themselves the “Chosen people;” we also need to be the choosing people.

I Feel Pretty: Can Confidence Make a Woman Beautiful?

I Feel Pretty: Can Confidence Make a Woman Beautiful?

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Amy Schumer’s mediocre film raises important issues about self-esteem and beauty.

What’s Really Wrong with the Insulting “Jewish Man’s Rebellion” Essay

What’s Really Wrong with the Insulting “Jewish Man’s Rebellion” Essay

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Don’t minimize the inherent difficulties in inter-faith marriage.

A Bag of Marbles: A New Holocaust Film Worth Seeing

Moral of the Story

A Bag of Marbles: A New Holocaust Film Worth Seeing

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The true story of French Jewish brothers fighting for survival during WWII.

Invite These Five Women to Your Seder

Invite These Five Women to Your Seder

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Women who played a pivotal role in Exodus story.

The Physician-Assisted Suicide of My Sister’s Friend

The Physician-Assisted Suicide of My Sister’s Friend

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An elderly, paralyzed woman choosing death has shocked and saddened me.

Modest Fashion Is All the Rage: Can the Trend Last?

Modest Fashion Is All the Rage: Can the Trend Last?

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Women today are declaring their need to feel more protected and more empowered through clothing that covers more than it reveals.

Larry David’s Tasteless Holocaust Joke

Larry David’s Tasteless Holocaust Joke

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When does humor cross the line from clever and incisive to inappropriate and offensive?

Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo Phenomenon

Harvey Weinstein and the #MeToo Phenomenon

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A silent epidemic is silent no more.

Easy Intimacy Is Making It Harder for Women to Get Married

Easy Intimacy Is Making It Harder for Women to Get Married

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The hook-up culture is eroding the value of marriage.

Going Orthodox: 8 Things that Surprised Me Living as an Observant Jew

Going Orthodox: 8 Things that Surprised Me Living as an Observant Jew

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I was still insecure and nervous about living a Torah observant life. What would my new life look like?

The Holocaust Survivor and the SS Guard

The Holocaust Survivor and the SS Guard

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Judy Meisel is one of the last people alive who can help finger a former SS guard who tormented her at the Stuttof concentration camp.

In Doggy Heaven: Farewell to My Faithful Friend

In Doggy Heaven: Farewell to My Faithful Friend

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At the equivalent of 105 in human years, our dog’s time had come. I miss him.

9 Ways to Discourage Your Teens from Swearing

9 Ways to Discourage Your Teens from Swearing

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Practical ideas to help your teens tame the swearing habit.

The Wedding Plan with No Groom

Moral of the Story

The Wedding Plan with No Groom

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A new Israeli movie explores the limits of faith.

Hookup Culture Wreaks Havoc on Campus

Hookup Culture Wreaks Havoc on Campus

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New research reveals that a many students find themselves in a fog of depression, confusion, and hurt.

7 Myths about Divorce

7 Myths about Divorce

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Powerful arguments for saving and revitalizing your marriage.

Esther Chana’s Fabulous “I-Beat-Cancer” Ice Climb

Esther Chana’s Fabulous “I-Beat-Cancer” Ice Climb

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Faith, optimism and the love of a community join forces to help a woman fight a near-fatal diagnosis.

Steven Spielberg's Mother Shone Her Own Light

Steven Spielberg's Mother Shone Her Own Light

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Leah Adler passes away at age 97.

La La Land and the Limits of Romance

La La Land and the Limits of Romance

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The award-winning film upends the typical Hollywood romance with its controversial ending.

Mary Tyler Moore, My Lifesaver

Mary Tyler Moore, My Lifesaver

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Beloved actress’ gift of laughter helped me through the pain in my early life.

The Orthodox Jewish Dating Web Series

The Orthodox Jewish Dating Web Series

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“Soon by You”, a web series about the New York dating scene, is turning heads.

Cleaning House

Cleaning House

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I’m finding the courage to declutter once and for all.

Autistic Soldiers in Israeli Defense Forces

Autistic Soldiers in Israeli Defense Forces

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Welcome to Unit 9900 where special soldiers provide extra security for the IDF.

Should We Ditch Small Talk on Dates?

Should We Ditch Small Talk on Dates?

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Why serious conversations can help speed up the dating process.

Son of Saul

Son of Saul

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The director and lead actor of the award-winning Holocaust film are two Jews who are passionate about their people and history.

Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe Gaffe

Steve Harvey’s Miss Universe Gaffe

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Lessons from the mindboggling mistake heard around the world.

Eagles of Death Metal Defies Terrorism

Eagles of Death Metal Defies Terrorism

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The rock band played in Israel and returned to Paris, demonstrating its courage and commitment to freedom.

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